If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
KAIMH Connections
Resources for Early Childhood Mental Health Advocates
Updates | March 2024
Highlights in this newsletter include the Annual KAIMH Conference, research on parent/child brain signatures, free brain building resources for families, upcoming professional development courses, and more!
Retaining the Early Care and Education Workforce
The early care and education workforce numbers have been declining in recent years due to several factors, one of which is high stress/low job satisfaction. This article by Brightwheel covers fifty-three strategies to prioritizing mental health and reducing stress and burnout.
Parent Child Brain Signatures
A recent Scientific Reports study determined the presence of shared neural fingerprints between parents and their children while listening to stories. This study hypothesized that biological parent–child couples exhibit similar and unique functional connectivity patterns, particularly those linked with emotional and executive functions systems. Intra-brain connectivity profiles were recorded during story listening that were then used to identify biological parent–child couples. Read more . . .
Barbara Stroud, PhD, has a background in culturally informed mental health practice. She has worked in the field for over 30 years and is well respected for her dedication to issues of equity in the work. Dr. Stroud is a Zero To Three Fellow and recipient of the Bruce D. Perry Spirit of the Child Award.
She is presenting, "Relationships, Regulation, and Resilience", on Thursday, April 18th. The developmental and social political outcomes of the COVID pandemic remain. The impact of stress and isolation has been seen in children, caregivers, and the provider communities. When the world around us seems unpredictable, we return to the foundations of relationship and regulation as tools to build resilience. In this full day training we will begin with the significant influences of relationship as they impact development, culture, self-understanding, and school readiness.
Dr. Melissa Hoffman, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, has dedicated her career to promoting maternal and child health and wellness. She works as a reproductive Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse and is a national speaker on the topics of perinatal mental health, perinatal psychopharmacology, and perinatal peer support.
She is presenting, "Perinatal Peer Support: An Essential Component of Care", and "Perinatal Mental Health 101", on Friday, April 19th. A good support system is vital during the postpartum period and has been shown to decrease the risk for maternal mental health disorders and increase general maternal wellness. A crucial part of the postpartum support system includes quality childcare. Due to lack of paid maternity or paternity leave, many parents are forced to return to work in the early weeks postpartum, which may increase the risk of mental health complications. Childcare providers are an essential link of support for these parents. These sessions will give attendees a basic overview of perinatal mental and substance use disorders and provide accessible resources providers and the families they serve.
Breakout Sessions Friday, April 19th
Perinatal Mental Health 101
Making Space for Reflective Supervision
Impacts of Covid on Language Development
Birth Equity & Infant Mental Health
HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences)
Utilizing Self-Care to Strengthen Daily Practices
Implementing PAX Tools: Strategies to Improve Cooperation and Self-Control in Children
A study by the Singapore National Research Foundation suggests that feeling happy during pregnancy not only reduces the risk of psychiatric illness in the mother but also potentially acts as a protective factor for fetal brain development. Future studies could support the development of preventive strategies to help support mother's mental health and ultimately promote the mental health of their children. Click here to read more.
Free Brain Building Resources for Families
Did you know Child Care Aware of America has free resources for families on brain building activities to do with children? Check out this flyer with four easy to do Vroom tips. Want more free resources to share with families? Check out the rest of their selection here!
Free Video Resource
The Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids Project is a series of 20 free videos that feature more than 150 caregivers, kids, and experts talking about some of the most pressing, confusing, and challenging questions that parents face. Many of the videos focus on parenting in the teen years, but some, like this video on self care, is appropriate for families with all ages of children.
March - April Professional Development
Check out these upcoming professional development opportunities that support your Infant Mental Health Endorsement® from the Early Childhood Investigations Webinars, Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Kansas Children's Service League, and Child Care Aware network.
.png)
